Drifting Snow: Shutdown Some Roads In Muskegon County

Drifting Snow: Shutdown Some Roads In Muskegon County

Muskegon County, Mich. — (February 21, 2014) Those who had to venture out into winter weather Friday were met with wicked West Michigan winds and whiteouts.

That was especially true on Westbound I 96 between Coopersville and Nunica.

“The whole thing is you just can’t see with open fields and the drifts,” said Shannon Beishuizen, Muskegon County resident.

One semi-truck driver was forced to crawl out of his cab in blizzard-like conditions after his truck slid off the road and tipped over.

Our photographer Jim Sutton went over to see if he needed assistance.

He said two passenger cars were sliding in front of him and when he applied his brakes, he went off the shoulder and nearly rolled.

The Eastbound lane of I 96 was shut down temporarily while a number of trucks were towed away following an accident there.

After making our way to Northern Muskegon, where roads were starting to completely drift over, we spotted cars fighting to get through growing obstacles of snow that were taking over entire lanes of traffic.

Lyle VandenHeuvel of Muskegon County said, “If you get out of town where it’s more open it’s bad.”

The drifts were getting significantly higher toward the lakeshore.

“As kids got to school, the snow kicked in,” said Superintendent John Weaver, Montague Area Public Schools.

He called it an early day for students and allowed them to go home at 1:15 and 2:30 pm.

“Anywhere you go to the west is going to be ugly,” said Weaver.

Parents and grandparents made the pilgrimage to the schools to pick up their kids.

“The wind’s been blowing something terrible especially through the open fields you can’t see at all,” said Shannon Beishuizen, Muskegon County.

North of Muskegon winds and heavy snow brought down the flat roof that extended over the gas pumps at the Speedway at M 120 and 31.

Caution tape surrounded the business and employees had to close and turn customers away Friday.